TubeNet

I have a 1926 conn 2J eb tuba with the small shank receiver. I am wondering who has taken a regular tuba mp and turned the shank to fit the smaller receiver. How does it sound? Is it better to use the smaller Eb specific tuba mp? Or have you changed the lead pipe shank to take regular large shanks. How does it sound?

1. You can easily get a Euro-shank Denis Wick mouthpiece that should pop right in a work with your Conn. I'd be inclined to try the Model 4 first on a 2J.
2. There is no such thing as an E-flat specific mouthpiece. Go ahead and go as big as you wish. I use a Bach 12 copy with my E-flat sousaphone.
3. My Holton E-flat was fitted with a replacement leadpipe and large-shank receiver, and it works great--but this was done because the original leadpipe rotted out. I'd sooner find a mouthpiece that fits than modify an instrument if possible.
4. You can replace just the mouthpiece receiver and leave the original leadpipe in place.

If your instrument represents a priceless heritage, maybe you'd do well to avoid modifying it, but otherwise ... a small shank receiver could be seen as a repairable defect.

Any competent machinist with a lathe having a taper attachment can turn the shank down; I know because I had it done over 20 years ago.

The shank size you probably need is "Small European" which is smaller than American Standard: Euro is bigger than standard, and won't fit. Denis Wick Mouthpieces keep these in stock. For solo work on an Eb, many Tubenetters recommend the DW3, which is the same cup-size as a Bach 24. For general band use, the DW2, which is the same size as the Bach 18, gives a better bottom end. Some brave souls use a DW1 (bigger than an 18, but smaller than a 12) - I've never tried one, so I can't comment.

Some players dislike the rim contour on the DW mouthpieces. For a choice of rims, the Selmansberger Imperial with the British shank is highly thought of, and Doug Elliot also makes this shank size.

The receivers on some of the Monsters did not have a standard Morse taper, so standard mouthpieces may tend to rock a bit. Sometimes there is enough meat on the receiver to let you ream it to a standard taper. Sometimes not.

You can have a standard shank turned down - I played on one for several years - but this leaves the end a bit thin and delicate and, depending on the interior details of your receiver, slotting may be reduced: if your tuba is gap sensitive, reducing the metal thickness at the end of the shank has the same effect as reducing the gap.

I believe you can also special order this shank size from Bach or Perantucci (for a fee).

If you have the chance to try a large bassbone mouthpiece like a Schilke 60 or a Yamaha Yeo Signature, one of these may be the right thing for that tuba.

Klaus

A very popular mouthpiece for an Eb tuba is the Wick 3.

If you really like the sound of the horn, I'd get a new receiver put on with a modern receiver. A good repair guy should be able to do this pretty easily. Keep the old one in case you want to restore it to original.